Early Years Centre in Stroud to be closed in 60 days

Julia Munro MPP demands that McGuinty government keep it open

(Queen's Park - October 2, 2008) - Hundreds of parents of children 6 and under were shocked to learn that the Early Years Centre in Stroud (Town of Innisfil) is scheduled to close on November 30. Last year 857 children and babies, along with their parents and caregivers, made use of the centre's services. Families from both Innisfil and Barrie use this centre as the Barrie centre is filled to capacity.

York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro demanded in the Legislature this morning that the Ontario Liberal government stop the closure of the centre. Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews refused to commit funds to keep the centre open and attempted to blame the situation on the federal government.

The first of more than 100 Early Years Centres was opened by the PC government in 2002. Ontario Early Years Centres provide activities for children and parents together and help parents and caregivers with advice on available services in the community. Early years professionals and other parents and caregivers offer advice and support.

Viewpoint: Julia Munro, MPP for York-Simcoe:

"The Ontario government has failed the people of Innisfil and Barrie by refusing to provide the money needed to keep the Early Years Centre open."

"Children and their parents will lose out when this centre is closed because there is no other place for them to go - the centre in Barrie is already filled to capacity, and its waiting list will grow even more"

"I urge my constituents to make their views known to me and to the government. Parents from Barrie should also start calling and visiting Aileen Carroll, Liberal MPP for Barrie, to demand that she tell the McGuinty government to keep the centre open."

Hansard Transcript:

Mrs. Julia Munro: My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. In the last few days, families of preschool children in Innisfil and Barrie were told that Simcoe Community Services has to close the Early Years centre in Stroud. They also have to shut down the toy lending van, both because you have refused to increase their funding since 2003. Minister, why are you forcing this centre to close?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you for the question. Let me first say that we are, as a government, committed to the development of kids. We have invested tremendous amounts of money and effort into making sure that kids have the best opportunities possible.

Early Years centres were established several years ago, under the previous government, as you will recall, with one per riding. We have continued to fund Early Years centres. But we've also continued to build other supports for kids in the communities. As we go forward, we're committing to increasing the numbers of parent and family literacy centres located in schools, to make sure that kids get the very best start possible in life.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.

Mrs. Julia Munro: Minister, over the last year, 857 children and babies visited this centre, along with their parents and caregivers. These include people such as Jamie Grant and her 3-year-old daughter, Ella, from Barrie, who came to the centre in Stroud because the one in Barrie is full; and parents such as Nicole Goodfellow and 10-month-old Brady.

Minister, what message do you have for these families, who will lose their centre at the end of November?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This government's commitment to kids in this province is something that I think is undeniable. But we lost a very important partner and that was the federal government. As you will recall, the Stephen Harper government cancelled the Early Years agreement. That took $1.1 billion out of child care in this province-$1.1 billion out of child care.

So our commitment continues. We are very much looking forward to the report from Dr. Charles Pascal on the early years. As you know, he is working and consulting across the province on this issue.

In this particular case, I do want to say that the regional office is looking for other opportunities for that particular OEYC.